To the Editor:

April 22 is designated as National Girl Scout Leader’s Day. Girl Scout volunteer leaders have been positively impacting girl’s lives since the beginning of Girl Scouting in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout Troop in Savannah, Georgia. These leaders are often beacons for girls as they approach womanhood. They provide a foundation of confidence, experience, respect and courage that stays with a young woman throughout her lifetime. A year has passed and we are still in the process of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. But the Girl Scout volunteers have been going strong to see that the girls stay safe and still can experience activities, events, and badge work to keep them involved with the Girl Scout program.

Here in St. Lawrence County we are but a small part of the larger picture of Girl Scouting. Our area known as Raquette Valley Service Unit is a part of the Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways Council which consist of 26 counties.

As a result of these adult volunteers in our area giving of their time, talent and support, the Girl Scout program is being made available to 100 girls ages 5-17 in the Raquette Valley Girl Scout Neighborhood which takes in five area school districts: Colton-Pierrepont, Parishville-Hopkinton, Madrid-Waddington, Norwood-Norfolk, and Potsdam.

A special thank you to the following people who are making it possible for the Girl Scout activities happening as part of the Raquette Valley Neighborhood: Katrina Bailey, Jen Milburn, Nichole Hartigan, Marilyn Paradis, Katie LaShomb, Tonya Fisher, Stacie Cole, Leslie Gray, Laura Perry, Liberty Stanavage, Lisa Wilson, Sue Scott, Nicole LaFave, Julianne Doyle, Carolyn Zanta, Jamie Fairchild, Sara Schulz, Samantha Ibey, Cheryl Gagne, Nicole Dimon, Sue Donahue, Amanda Jones, Ellen MacMasters, Lauren Breggs, Jill Taylor, Jessica Foster, Amanda Felt, Samantha Seguin, Kim Willard and all the other troop committee members and parent volunteers who also assist with the troops.

The Girl Scout organization is a world wide group and for these girls to be able to take advantage of the Girl Scout program opportunities and in fulfilling the Girl Scout mission, that girls lead with courage, confidence and character, is a definite plus to their future. The Girl Scout program makes it possible for girls to build character and skills for success in the real world. Again, thank you adult volunteers for all your help.

If you happen to see any of these people, please express a “Thank you” for all their dedication in helping to make Girl Scouting available to the girls in our area.

Also, we would like to take time to thank all the parents/guardians who support the Girl Scout troops in our area and allow their daughters to participate in the program and the different communities who allow the troops to hold their meetings at various locations and for their support.

Anyone needing more information regarding the Girl Scout program or interested in volunteering the number to call is 1-800-943-4414 or checkout the gsnypenn.org website.

Marcia Oney RV Chairperson

Chase Mills